Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Maybinned

Matt Cain left a ball out over the middle of the plate that Cameron Maybin smacked into the gap for a two-run triple with two outs in the sixth that effectively ended the Giants hopes. It was a 1-2 count and they needed a borderline pitch there, but you also have to give Maybin credit for jumping on the chance. Orlando Hudson, the previous batter, had been semi-intentionally walked, and Cain had put on a teaser clinic, throwing pitches that hinted at the strike zone but would have been outs if the O-Dawg had bitten. Alas, he didn't have any of those left for the young centerfielder. It was a frustrating night. With the Giants up 2-0 in the first, the Padres got runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. If the Giants were batting, they would have gotten a comebacker with the runner nailed at home and two strikeouts. The Padres got back-to-back ground balls (one by Maybin) to score both runners in a span of three pitches. The Giants are 7-15 against this club since the start of last season. San Diego doesn't hit much so they rely on speed and athleticism in the field and on the bases, and they pitch well and have a strong bullpen. It's like kryptonite to the Giants. When your game plan is to wait until the other team boots a ball or puts in a crummy reliever then you have to get some help. The Padres weren't accomodating last night and are screwing up the "thump the West" strategy the Giants are depending on. They've won 7 of their last 10 and are 21-20 on the road. The Giants have allowed 124 runs at home and have scored 110 yet are 24-15. It was the fourth time (in 18 starts) that Cain has allowed five runs or more this season. He'd only given up one run in his previous 21 innings and only eight total in June.

--M.C.

p.s. Andres Torres had an amazing plate appearance (16 pitches, 10 foul balls) against Chad Qualls in the seventh that resulted in a walk. In what may be a signature Giants sequence, he stole 2nd, went to 3rd on a grounder, and was out at home attempting to score on a wild pitch.

p.p.s. The Giants were 43-40 on this date last season and six back of the Padres.

4 comments:

I always consider this a crucial time - each side of the All-Star game - and I must say I'm a little bit worried. Mediocre jobs by Tim and Matt (face it, they pitch like they should have and we win both of those games)have set a bad tone. Let's see if the bottom of the rotation can continue to keep us afloat, as it has all year.

Our bullpen seems to sorely need a break. Is Bochy in love with Casilla? Santiago does not seem to throw as hard (or as well) as last year, but he gets a lot of chances. Am I mistaken here?

Also, for the record - Bunting with Burriss up is ALWAYS a good idea. He has a better chance of reaching (albeit less than 1 in 5) that way than ANY other way and it might force an error. That really is the guy's only offensive weapon.

I might get to see Ron and his clan at the Black Sheep this afternoon. Pretty cool, huh?BTW I think they attended the last two games, which means we have our scape goat, I mean, explanation. If we win today we will know that it had something to do with Ron...not our feeble offense.

It is impossible not to "worry" about a club that can't score runs. Even Cain and Lincecum are going to get hit now and then, but the Giants have no answer when that happens. They really needed someone in the 9th that could get a BIG HIT. Giving up an out to get 90 feet when down by two was tantamount to surrender. Sure, MannyB can't do much else, but two on and zero outs is better than two on and one out. It was not a one-run game, and a sac bunt is a play for one run.

But that's pointless whining. The Giants are going to win 3-1 or 3-2 and not going to win when they fall behind. Last year's club hit home runs, which helps when you don't hit a lot. This year's club has zero power.

2010: 4.30 rpg (NL avg 4.33)2011: 3.62 rpg (NL avg 4.09)

Guys like Huff and Torres have to get it going. Freddy Sanchez needs to come back. The pitching will keep them in the front rank, but the lack of punch will be a clear Achilles Heel--more like an Achilles Leg.